By then he will be working with several new directors, voted in by shareholders at next Thursday's annual meeting.

Chairman John Taylor announced this week that he would not be standing for re-election, the fourth member of the current board to quit. Woking have six matches left, with vital Easter games at Nuneaton (tomorrow) and home to Telford on Monday.

But even if next-to-bottom Woking stay up, Lippiatt will wield the axe. He said: "We will be having a massive clear-out. There are a number of players who are out of contract but there are also several who have another season left.

"It may be that they come to me, say they do not wish to stay and are put on the transfer list.

"On the other hand, it may be that I have to call players in and tell them they don't figure in my plans for next season."

Since his arrival at the start of last month, Lippiatt has released Peter Smith, Richard Goddard and Phil Gridelet, sending out Stuart Girdler, Iain Hendry and Eddie Saunders on loan. Of his current squad, goalkeepers Laurence Batty and Darryl Flahavan, defender Rob Smith, midfielder Danny Bolt and strikers Nassim Akrour and Darran Hay all complete their contracts on May 6.

Kevan Brown and Steve Stott were both signed at the end of March on short-term deals which also expire then. But Lippiatt emphasised that the jury is still out on everyone: "I've got my thoughts on the shape of things for next year but of course we don't know which league we will be in and how that will affect budgets.

"What I do know is that players who excel over the next six games, in one of the most critical passages of time this club has ever seen, will obviously be looked on in a better light.

"I have constantly emphasised that to the players. We can still get out of this mess and I want them to show me they are worth contracts."

Taylor will step down on Thursday after less than six months as chairman. His predecessor Jon Davies quit last summer, soon followed by Graham Elmer, while commercial director Michael Church gave notice of his departure recently. Taylor, who has also been administration secretary and vice-chairman in his 15 years at Kingfield, said: "I've enjoyed it greatly but I feel it is time for others to have a go.

"There have been good times and bad ones too and sometimes you need fresh ideas. There are several people who have them and it's up to the shareholders to see who they think are the best people to take the club forward.

"I will continue supporting the club and give any help I can."

Football director Phil Ledger and finance chief Bill Sutton are standing for re-election - property director Paul Elmer remains in place - and the others standing for the six places are John Buchanan, Dave Vaughan, Mike Bidmead, Peter Jordan, David Mitchell and former vice-chairman Terry Molloy.

Taylor added: "It's been a difficult season and the outlook was very gloomy at one stage financially. But I believe the land deal we did with Woking Borough Council has given the club breathing space and it will be up to the new board to build on that."